Keyboard having illuminated keys

ABSTRACT

A keyboard is provided having illuminating keys. The keyboard includes a light channeling membrane and key members constructed at least partially of translucent material so that light produced from a light source is channeled upwardly to the upper surfaces of the key members. The light source may include LED or LEC systems in adjoining relationship to the light channeling membrane. However, in a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of a substantially planar illuminescent sheet which underlies the light channeling membrane.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S.application Ser. No. 09/500,735 filed on Feb. 9, 2000 U.S. Pat. No.6,217,183, issued on Apr. 17, 2001, which in turn is a continuationapplication of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/396,141, filed onSep. 15, 1999, and abandoned on Apr. 27, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to keyboards, includingtypewriter and computer keyboards.

More specifically, the present invention relates to keyboards havingilluminated key members.

Conventional keyboards include a plurality of key members which displaysymbols, such as alphanumeric keys, on their top surfaces. Moreover,typical modern keyboards for both electric typewriters and computersutilize a make-and-break electrical circuit which is activated bydepression of a key member for identifying a particular symbol embeddedon the top of the key member.

A problem with prior art keyboards is that it is often difficult todiscern the symbol appearing on the top of the key member under poorlighting conditions. This causes the keyboard operator to memorize thekey locations or to strain their eyes to operate the keys of thekeyboard under low light conditions. This has become a much greaterproblem in present day society as keyboards have become necessary foreveryday use and as keyboard use is not limited primarily to operationby workers in business offices as in the past. As a result of thisexpansion of keyboard use, more and more operators have less training onkeyboards, and correspondingly many keyboard operators utilize a “huntand peck” style of keyboard operation.

Moreover, the advent of laptop and notebook computers has resulted inthe use of keyboards at places where they were not previously operated.Often these places provide limited light making it difficult forkeyboard operators to quickly and easily operate the keyboard. Forexample, it is a common sight on commercial aircraft to see a passengerslowly hunt and peck at their keyboards continuously looking at the keymembers to verify that they are in fact pressing the correct keys.

Accordingly, it is clear that there is a need for an apparatus thatmakes keyboard key members more discernable in low light conditions.Backlighting is commonly used in rubber keypads, membrane switches,rigid panels and the like to make them more visible and discernable.These keypad panels typically make use of light emitting crystals(LECs), liquid emitting diodes (LEDs), and/or fiberoptics for thispurpose. Most prior backlit keyboards utilize a light source which istypically transmitted via a fiberoptic cable to the key members of akeypad. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,602 issued to Garcia, Jr. etal. discloses an optically activated keyboard which uses fiberopticcables to transmit light to translucent key members. The light istransmitted through the translucent key members where it is emitted fromthe top of the key cap. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 3,886,544 issued toNarodny and U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,396 issued to Myers disclose keyboardswhich use backlighting. Each key member in connection to a fiberopticcable which transmits light to a respective key member which thereaftertransmits light from the top of the key cap. Additional keyboard andkeypad techniques include the LED and LEC backlighting commonly utilizedfor alarm activator and deactivator keypads wherein each key includes aseparate LED or LEC structure embedded in or behind the key member.

Unfortunately, keyboard and keypad backlighting devices which utilizeLED, LEC or fiberoptics are relatively expensive to construct. Inaddition, it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, to routefiberoptics to the keyboard keys of today's computer systems. Forexample, it would be particularly difficult to route fiberoptic cablesand provide a light source to the key members of today's notebookcomputers and palm-sized computer systems.

In addition, the light sources for use with prior art backlit keyboardsrequire substantial power and in some cases, a fan for cooling whichdraws additional power. These constructions are prohibitive for portablecomputers such as laptop and notebook computers which draw on the powerof a rechargeable battery and where power is at a premium.

Accordingly, it would be highly advantageous to provide a keyboardhaving illuminated key members suitable for use with today's computersystems including portable computers.

It would also be highly advantageous to provide a keyboard havingilluminated keys which does not require routing of fiberoptic cables toeach key member.

In addition, it would be highly advantageous to provide a keyboardhaving illuminated key members which is light weight, simple andinexpensive to manufacture, and requires low power consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly, in accordance with the invention, I provide an improvedkeyboard having illuminated key members. The improved keyboard includesa plurality of key members and, preferably, a light channeling membrane.Both the light channeling member and key members are constructed of asubstantially translucent material capable of channeling light rays. Inaddition, the keyboard of the present invention includes a light sourceoptically connected to the light channeling membrane. In operation, thelight source produces light rays which are received by the lightchanneling membrane which underlies the plurality of key members. Thelight rays are channeled through the light channeling membrane to thekey members which receive the light rays at their lower extremities andchannel the light rays upwardly to their top surface. Light is thenemitted from the top of the key member to either provide illuminationaround an opaque construction of a symbol displayed on the top surfaceof the key member, or in the alternative, to emit light rays in theshape of the symbol itself.

In a preferred embodiment, the light channeling membrane and pluralityof key members are manufactured of an acrylic plastic for opticalclarity, though other materials may be used depending on weight andmanufacturing limitations as would be understood by those skilled in theart. For this embodiment, the light channeling membrane includes aplurality of bores, with each bore being constructed for receipt of thekey shaft of a corresponding key member. Meanwhile, each key member alsoincludes a key cap having a symbol displayed thereon. Each key membershaft is constructed to extend downwardly and telescopically into acorresponding bore of the light channeling membrane. Light is channeledthrough the translucent material of the light channeling membrane untilit is emitted from cylindrical sidewalls into the membrane's bores.Light emitted from the bores' interior sidewalls is received onto theexterior of the shafts of the key members and channeled upwardly throughthe translucent material of the shaft, to the key caps which are alsoconstructed of a translucent material. The key cap includes an uppersurface having an alphanumeric symbol displayed thereon which isilluminated by light passing through the shaft of the key member toprovide the desired illuminated alphanumeric symbol. The symbol can beconstructed as light emitting or as opaque with the remainder of the topsurface being conversely opaque or light emitting, depending on whetherthe desired symbol is in either a negative or a positive representationthereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the light source is constructed of asubstantially planar sheet underlying the light channeling membrane ofthe keyboard. A preferred construction for the illuminating sheet of thelight source is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,755 issued to Appelbergand assigned to E-Lite Technologies, Inc. which is incorporated hereinby reference. The illuminating sheet is a split electrode or parallelplate lamp consisting of a main body sandwiched between first and secondconductive layers. Application of an alternating current to the planarsheet provides a luminescent sheet which can be adhesively attached tothe bottom of the keyboard light channeling membrane. Moreover, theilluminating sheet is sufficiently thin as to not require significantmodification to existing computer keyboards designs.

An additional preferred construction of the luminescent sheet can beobtained from MKS, Inc. located in Bridgeton, N.J., USA under thetrademark designation Quantaflex. The Quantaflex material is anelectroluminescent lamp including luminescent phosphors embedded in thedielectric medium of a capacitor constructed in the form of a sheet.Electrodes, including at least one translucent electrode, form the topand bottom layers of the Quantaflex material. Upon application of analternating current to the electrodes, the phosphors give off photonsproducing light in the visible spectrum. An advantage of the Quantaflexmaterial is that the phosphors can be selectively encapsulated betweenthe electrode layers of the luminescent sheet so as to selectivelyproduce patterns of light emitted from the luminescent sheet. Forexample, for application with the present invention, it is preferredthat the Quantaflex material be constructed to produce light only belowand/or immediately adjacent to the key members so as to reduce powerconsumption.

In an additional preferred embodiment, the luminescent sheet isconstructed of one the rapidly developing technologies directed toOrganic Light Emitting Devices (OLED), Transparent Organic LightEmitting Devices (TOLED), or Flexible Organic Light Emitting Devices(FOLED). These technologies are available to those skilled in the artand will not be described in further detail herein.

In still an additional preferred embodiment, the luminescent sheet isconstructed of a substantially translucent material, such as an acrylicplastic, connected to an independent light source such a fiberopticlight source, light emitting diodes, light emitting crystals, etc.

Where the keyboard of the present invention utilizes an illuminatingsheet for a light source, the illuminating sheet may be formed with aplurality of holes. The luminescent sheet is then affixed below thelight channeling membrane with the bores of the luminescent sheetunderlining the bores projecting through the light channeling membrane.This construction permits the shafts of the key members to projectthrough the membrane bores and through the holes of the illuminatingsheet. Where the keyboard is constructed for use with a computer,disposed below the illuminating sheet is a elastic diaphragm, forbiasing the key members upwardly, and a keyboard circuit board. Thecircuit board includes a plurality of switches which are closeable uponpressure application such that depression of the key members causes therespective key shafts to project downwardly through the membrane boresand illuminating sheet holes to depress the elastic diaphragm to, inturn, engage the circuit board switches. The closure of a particularcircuit board switch results in a corresponding signal being sent to thecomputer indicating that a particular key member has been depressed.

In an additional embodiment of the present invention, the light source,constructed in the form of a planar luminescent sheet, is disposedbetween the elastic diaphragm and circuit board. The elastic diaphragmis manufactured of a translucent material so that light emitted upwardlyfrom the luminescent sheet shines upon the bottoms of the key membershafts, and preferably upon the bottom of the upper clamshell member ofthe keyboard which is also preferably manufactured of a translucentmaterial. For this embodiment, the elastic diaphragm and upper clamshellmember cooperate to function as a light channeling membrane to transmitlight from the light source to the key members. The light is thenchanneled through the key members to be transmitted from the tops oftheir key caps.

In still an additional embodiment of the present invention, the keyboardis constructed with the light source, in the form of a planarluminescent sheet, positioned to underlie the elastic diaphragm andcircuit board of the keyboard. The elastic diaphragm and circuit boardare manufactured of substantially translucent materials for permittinglight emitted from the luminescent sheet to project upwardly through thecircuit board and elastic diaphragm to strike the bottom, extremities ofthe key members. It is preferred that the keyboard include a separatelight channeling membrane for channeling light rays to the sidewalls ofthe key member shafts. However, for this embodiment, the elasticdiaphragm and circuit board of the key board may function as the lightchanneling membrane. Light emitted from the planar sheet is channeledthrough the translucent material of the elastic diaphragm and circuitboard to the key members. The light is then transmitted through the keymembers to the key member's upper surface where it is emitted from thetop of the key cap in the shape of a character displayed on the key cap.

In still an alternative embodiment, the light source is comprised of oneor more fiberoptic cables. The fiberoptic cables are constructed toproject light laterally from their cylindrical exterior as opposed topredominantly from their distal extremities. This can be accomplished bynotching, knurling, scratching or in other manners to create flaws inthe otherwise smooth exterior cylindrical surface of the fiberopticcable. These flaws have been found to interrupt the transmission oflight along the length of the fiberoptic cable and to transmit lightlaterally from the exterior surface of the fiberoptic cable. Forapplication with the present invention, the fiberoptic cables are routedalongside, below or through the light channeling membrane so that lighttransmitted through the fiberoptic cable is transmitted laterally to bereceived by the keyboard light channeling membrane. The light is thenchanneled through the light channeling membrane and key members so as tobe emitted from the upper surface of the key members to illuminate asymbol or character.

Preferably, substantial portions of the keyboard and key members arecoated on their exterior surfaces with a reflective opaque coating suchas paint or the like where light is not intended to be emitted fromtheir exteriors. For example, it is preferred that the keyboard becoated with an opaque material in the interstitial regions between thekey members so that light does not project upwardly between the keymembers which would cause visual glare to the keyboard operator or whichwould otherwise detract from the relative illuminescence of the symbolsdisplayed on each of the key members.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an inexpensivesimple to construct keyboard having illuminating keys.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a keyboardhaving illuminated key members suitable for use with today's computersystems including portable computers.

Moreover, it is an object of the present invention to provide a keyboardhaving illuminated key members which does not require routing offiberoptic cables to each key member.

These and other and more specific objects and advantages of theinvention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer including keyboard of theprior art;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the keyboard shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a key memberfor use with the keyboard having illuminated keys of the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of the translucent light channelingmembrane for use with the keyboard having illuminated keys of thepresent invention illustrating a light source as an LED or LECcomponent;

FIG. 5 is a perspective cutaway view of the translucent light channelingmembrane for use with the keyboard having illuminated keys of thepresent invention illustrating a light source as one or more fiberopticcables embedded in the translucent light channeling membrane;

FIG. 6 is a cutaway view of a preferred keyboard having illuminated keysof the present invention wherein the light source is a planarilluminating sheet underlying the light channeling membrane of thekeyboard;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the keyboard having illuminated keys ofthe present invention in which the light source is a planar illuminatingsheet underlying the light channeling membrane of the keyboard;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway view of a preferred keyboard having illuminated keysof the present invention wherein the light source is a planarilluminating sheet underlying the diaphragm and circuit board of thekeyboard;

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the keyboard having illuminated keys ofthe present invention in which the light source is a planar illuminatingsheet underlying the diaphragm and the circuit board of the keyboard;and

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of the keyboard having illuminated keys ofthe present invention in which the light source is a planar illuminatingsheet positioned between the elastic diaphragm and circuit board of thekeyboard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in variousforms, as shown in the drawings, hereinafter will be described thepresently preferred embodiments of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to specificembodiments illustrated.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, keyboards are required to operate numerousapparatus including computers, typewriters and personal organizers, aswell as aircraft and vehicular instrument panels. A typical prior artkeyboard 7 is shown in FIG. 1 for use with a computer 3. The computer 3also includes a central processing unit 9 and monitor 5. By pressing keymembers 11 on the keyboard 7, one sends signals to the centralprocessing unit 9 instructing the computer 3 to perform variousfunctions.

As shown in FIG. 2, a typical keyboard 7 includes a housing 13comprising an upper clamshell member 15 and lower clamshell member 17.The keyboard 7 further includes a plurality of key members 11 and adiaphragm 19 having elastic diaphragm projections 20 for biasing the keymembers 11 to a normally upward position. A typical computer keyboard 7further includes a circuit board 21 which is disposed below the keymembers 11 and diaphragm 19. The circuit board 21 includes first andsecond printed wiring layers 23 and 27 which include engraved orembedded electrical circuits. The printed wiring layers 23 and 27 areseparated by an insulator or dielectric layer 25. The insulator layer 25includes a plurality of holes so that depression downwardly of the keymembers 11 causes the diaphragm projection 20 to be forced downwardlyupon the upper printed wiring layer 23 so that printed wiring layers 23and 27 can come in contact to open and close distinctive electricalswitches through the holes of the insulator layer 25. Each of theseelectrical switches correspond to different key members 11 so that thekeyboard operator can depress key members either individually or incombination to send various signals to the computer's central processingunit 9.

With reference to FIG. 3-7, Applicant provides a keyboard 1 havingilluminated key members 11. Each key member 11 includes a key shaft 29and a key cap 31. Displayed on the top surface 33 of the key cap 31 is asymbol 35 such as an alphanumeric character. For application of thekeyboard 1 of the present invention, the key member 11 is constructed atleast partially of a substantially translucent light channeling materialso that light can be received by the outer surfaces of the key shaft 29and channeled upwardly to be emitted from the key cap's upper surface33. In a first embodiment, light rays are emitted from the symbol 35itself in which the translucent material portion of the key cap 31extends through the key shaft 29 and key cap 31 to the key symbol 35.The remaining portion of the key cap upper surface 33 is constructed ofa non-light emitting material or covered by an opaque coating 51 (FIG.3). In the alternative, the entire key cap 31 including upper surface 33is constructed of translucent light emitting material while the symbol35 is formed of a non-light emitting material, depending whether thesymbol 35 is intended to be displayed as a negative or positiverepresentation.

With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the keyboard 1 of the present inventionincludes a light channeling membrane 37. The light channeling membrane37 underlies the key members 11 and is constructed to channel light rays53 from a light source to the key shafts 29 of the key members 11, whichin turn channel the light rays 53 along the length of the key shafts 29to the key cap's upper surfaces 33. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the lightchanneling membrane 37 is incorporated into the upper clamshell portion15 of the keyboard's housing 13. This is accomplished by constructingthe upper clamshell member 15 at least partially of a translucent lightchanneling material. Light rays 53 received upon the light channelingmembrane's 37 outer surface is channeled throughout the translucentmaterial to the key members 11. Preferably, the upper surface of thelight channeling membrane 37 is coated or otherwise constructed with anopaque coating 51 so that only the upper surfaces 33 of the key members11 are seen to illuminate by the keyboard operator. As shown in FIGS. 6and 7, in a preferred embodiment, the light channeling membrane 37includes a plurality of conical projections 39 having centrallongitudinal bores 41 configured for receipt of the key shafts 29 of thekey members 11. Preferably, the keyboard 1 includes a diaphragm 19having a plurality of elastic projections 20 for biasing the key members11 upwardly.

In addition to the specially constructed key members 11 and lightchanneling membrane 37, the keyboard 1 of the present invention includesa light source optically connected to the light channeling membrane 37.The light source may be embedded in, positioned alongside, or positionedunderneath the light channeling membrane to communicate light to thelight channeling membrane 37. As shown in FIG. 4, in a first embodiment,the light source is comprised of one or more light strips 45 which canbe either liquid emitting diodes (LED) or light emitting crystals (LEC)systems or other constructions known to those skilled in the art whichemit light into (as shown in FIG. 5), or upon the exterior side orbottom surfaces of the light channeling membrane 37. With reference toFIG. 5, in a second embodiment, the light source is made up of one ormore fiberoptic cables 47 which are constructed to project lightlaterally from their cylindrical exterior. In particular, it has beenfound that fiberoptic cables 47 provide a highly luminescent surfacewhere the curved cylindrical surface has been notched, knurled,scratched or otherwise flawed so that the flaws receive light rays fromthe interior of the fiberoptic cables 47 and emit those light rayslaterally from the fiberoptic cable's exterior surface. For applicationwith the present invention, the fiberoptic cables 47 are routedalongside, below or embedded in the light channeling membrane 37 so thatlight rays 53 emitted from the cylindrical outer surface of thefiberoptic cables 47 are received by the translucent material andchanneled within the membrane's translucent region 43 to the key members11.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the light source isconstructed as a substantially planar sheet 49 affixed below the bottomsurface of the light channeling membrane 37. Luminescent planar sheetscan be constructed by those skilled in the art using varioustechnologies. For example, the luminescent planar sheets may beconstructed of an electroluminescent lamp, an Organic Light EmittingDevice (OLED), a Transparent Organic Light Emitting Device (TOLED), or aFlexible Organic Light Emitting Device (FOLED). Alternatively, theluminescent sheet may be constructed of a substantially translucentmaterial which acts as a “light pipe” connected to an independent lightsource such a fiberoptic light source, light emitting diodes, or lightemitting crystals. The translucent material channels the light from thelight source to the keys, or to a separate light channeling membrane 37to illuminate the keys.

As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, in one of the preferred embodiments, theplanar sheet 49 is preferably constructed with a plurality of holes 50which underlie the conical projections 39 and longitudinally extendingbores 41 of the light channeling membrane 37. A shown in FIG. 7, thisconstruction permits the key shafts 29 of the key members 11 totelescope downwardly into the bores 41 and through the holes 50 of theluminescent sheet 49. Though the key members 11 are normally biasedupwardly by the elastomeric projections 20 of the diaphragm 19, downwarddepression of the key members 11 by fingertip pressure on the keymember's upper surfaces 33 causes the key shafts 29 to projectdownwardly through bores 41 and holes 50 until the bottom extremity ofthe key member 11 forces the diaphragm projections 20 to forcibly closeelectrical switches 55 in the circuit board 21.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, in an additional preferred embodiment,the planar luminescent sheet 49 underlies both the diaphragm 19 and thecircuit board 21. The diaphragm and circuit board are constructed to besubstantially translucent, and light emitted upwardly by the luminescentplanar sheet 49 is transmitted through the translucent diaphragm andcircuit board to the bottom of the key members 11. Because the keymember are also manufactured of a translucent material, the light isthen channeled through the key members' shafts 29 to be emitted from thekey's upper surface 33 in the form of a symbol 35.

With reference also to FIGS. 6 and 7, this embodiment has the benefit ofnot requiring that the upper clamshell member 15 of the keyboard bemanufactured of a translucent material so as to function as a lightchanneling membrane 37. Instead, the translucent circuit board 21 anddiaphragm 19 operate as a light channeling membrane by communicatinglight emitted by the planar sheet 49 to the bottom extremities of thekey members 11. Light is then emitted from the upper surfaces 33 of thekey members. Also with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, this embodiment alsohas the benefit of not requiring that the luminescent planar sheet 49 beformed with holes 50 underlying each of the key members for permittingthe shafts 29 of the key members to project downwardly through the holesso as to engage the diaphragm 19 and circuit board 21. Instead, thekeyboard is constructed with the luminescent planar sheet positioned soas to avoid contact with the moving members of the keyboard, the keymembers and diaphragm. For this embodiment of the present invention, itis preferred that the luminescent planar sheet not include any holes sothat the luminescent planar sheet can provide a maximum of luminosity tothe key members.

With reference also to FIG. 10, in an additional embodiment of thepresent invention, the light source 49 is positioned between thediaphragm 19 and circuit board 21. The light source is again constructedin planar form having at least its top side providing luminescence. Theelastic diaphragm is manufactured of a translucent material so thatlight emitted upwardly from the light source, in the form of aluminescent sheet 49, shines through the diaphragm projections 20 andupon the bottoms of the key member shafts 11. Preferably, for thisembodiment, the upper clamshell member 15 of the keyboard is alsopreferably manufactured of a translucent material so that light emittedfrom the luminescent sheet strikes the underside of the upper clamshellmember 15 and is channeled to the sidewalls of the key members. For thisembodiment, the elastic diaphragm and upper clamshell member cooperateto function as a light channeling membrane, transmitting light from thelight source to the key members 11. The light is then channeled throughthe key members to be transmitted from the tops 33 of the key caps 31.

This embodiment has the advantage over the previous embodiment in thatlight emitted from the light source is not transmitted through thecircuit board 21 prior to striking the outer surfaces of the key members11 which could cause diminished luminescence from the key members due tolight reflection, refraction or absorption caused by the opticalproperties of the circuit board. However, this embodiment has thedisadvantage over the prior described embodiment in that the lightsource is disposed between the key members and the circuit board. Thisconstruction requires that the light source be compressed with eachactuation of the keyboard key members unless the light source isconstructed with holes to permit the key members to engage the circuitboard directly which would also diminish to amount of light emitted fromthe key members. Though troublesome, this disadvantage can be overcomeusing the above described material from MKS, Inc. which it is believedcan withstand the cyclic compression stemming from the actuations of thekey members.

The present invention provides for an inexpensive and simple tomanufacture keyboard including keys having illuminated upper surfaces.The keyboard of the present invention is particularly suitable for usewith computers and particularly with laptop computers, though it is notintended that the present invention be limited thereto. While severalparticular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described,it will be apparent that various modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it isnot intended that the invention be limited except by the followingclaims.

I claim:
 1. A lighted computer keyboard comprising: a keyboard housingincluding an upper clamshell member, said upper clamshell member beingat least partially translucent to channel light; a plurality of keymembers constructed of a substantially hard non-deformable materialpositioned within said keyboard housing; an elastic diaphragm underlyingsaid key members for biasing said key members in an upward direction; acircuit board underlying said plurality of key members and said elasticdiaphragm, said circuit board being operational to produce signals inresponse to depression of said key members; and a light source opticallyconnected to said clamshell member for communicating light to saidclamshell member, said clamshell member channeling light to at leastsome of said plurality of key members.
 2. The lighted computer keyboardof claim 1 wherein said light source include LEDs or LECs.
 3. Thelighted computer keyboard of claim 2 wherein said LEDs or LECs areembedded in said clamshell member.
 4. The lighted computer keyboard ofclaim 1 wherein said light source include fiber optic cables.
 5. Thelighted computer keyboard of claim 4 wherein said fiberoptic cables areembedded in said clamshell member.